Technology Helps Monitor Dangerous Truck Drivers
Large commercial trucks are a necessity to Florida's economy. But when there is negligence, they can also pose a serious risk to all road users.
In order to mitigate the risk of truck accidents, a fleet monitoring system called Lytx is being implemented into many large commercial trucks.
Lytx is a risk management program that collects data via video telematics, which the company says "combines video data, computer vision technology, and vehicle data."
Its State of the Data presentation was displayed at the American Trucking Association Management Conference and Exhibition in October 2018. The data was based on 100 billion miles traveled and emphasized the safety habits, risk factors and driving behaviors of truckers.
The data findings
Lytx linked these behaviors and habits to the likelihood of a crash occurring between June and August of 2018. The results found approximately 358,359 fewer occurrences of risky driving from the same time period in 2017 and identified the top ten truck driver habits in order of frequency. They included:
- Driver not wearing a seatbelt
- Late response (delayed reaction to a potential collision)
- Following distance of greater than 1 second, but less than 2 seconds
- Smoking
- Following distance of greater than 2 seconds, but less than 3 seconds
- Exceeding speed limit
- Drinking (non-alcoholic beverages) or eating while driving
- Other violations: such as driving over center line, blocking an intersection, or driving on a shoulder
- Using handheld device while driving
- Following distance of less than 1 second
While the data showed a decline in most of these driving habits from 2017, it found an increase in following distance of greater than one second, but less than two seconds, exceeding the posted speed limit, and other violations.
Other findings
Additionally, Lytx identified ten driving behaviors that increase the likelihood of a crash occurring within the next 90-day period. These include:
- Collision
- Blank stare
- Drowsy driving
- Driver not wearing a seatbelt
- Late response (delayed reaction to a potential collision)
- Failed to keep an out (which means that the driver cut it close to another vehicle, person, or object)
- Near collision
- Near collision (which was unavoidable)
- Aggressive driving
- Falling asleep at the wheel
Lytx data also identified the days of the week and times of day in which truck accidents are most likely to happen. The day of the week with the most collisions is Wednesday, especially between 2 and 4 a.m. The time of day with the most collisions (on any given day) is 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Most near-collisions happen on Fridays, or during afternoons between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. (on any given day). Monday reportedly has the lowest number of collisions.
Why is this data important?
Video telematics is an effective way for trucking companies to improve safety. The last thing they want to deal with is a truck accident. It's a liability for them and their insurers.
In the event of a collision, the video footage captured from the cab can provide evidence regarding a driver's behavior at the time of a crash. For example, if a driver was texting or fell asleep behind the wheel and an accident occurred, the video footage can be used as evidence of negligence.
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident in greater Jacksonville, your attorney can use this evidence to help you build a strong personal injury claim. At Pajcic & Pajcic, our truck accident attorneys are dedicated to pursuing justice for injured motorists. We have the case results to prove it - such as a $7 million truck accident recovery for a victim that sustained severe injuries and a $13 million verdict for a victim who sustained a severe brain injury after a crash with a log truck. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us today.